Antenna apparatus for base station and method of optimizing traffic capacity in CDMA communications system

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

00011. Field of the Invention

0002The invention generally relates to a technique of Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), and more particularly, to a base-station antenna apparatus and a method of optimizing traffic capacity of the cell in a CDMA communications system.

00032. Description of the Related Art

0004In the CDMA communication system, multiple channels independently occupy the same frequency band, and all signals are transmitted simultaneously in time. The different channels (or waveforms) in CDMA are distinguished from one another at the receiver using the specific spreading codes they employ. In CDMA, all the signals other than the target channel become interference signals. Since an excessive amount of interference prevents good communication conditions, the number of permissible users (i.e., the traffic capacity) in the cell or the sector is inevitably limited. To this end, an appropriate measure for reducing interference is required in order to increase the traffic capacity as much as possible.

0005One known technique for reducing interference from other communication channels is cell sectoring. With this technique, the cell under the control of the base station is divided into multiple sectors, and the base station is furnished with multiple directional antennas with different beam patterns, each antenna corresponding to one of the sectors. The main beam of each directional antenna is turned to the associated sector, while the side lobe is turned to other sectors, in order to spatially separate the expected signal (from the target channel) from the interference signals (from other channels).

0006<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> is a perspective view of a directional antenna <b>100</b> used in the cell sectoring technique, and <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> shows its plan view. The directional antenna <b>100</b> has a rod-type radiator <b>103</b>, a pair of reflector plates <b>102</b> arranged with an angle a between them in order to reflect the radio waves emitted from the radiator <b>103</b>, and the rotating unit <b>101</b>. The rotating unit <b>101</b> rotates the assembly of the radiator <b>103</b> and the reflector plates <b>102</b> about an axis parallel to the radiator rod, while maintaining the positional relationship between the radiator <b>103</b> and the reflector plates <b>102</b>, to change the direction β of the beam orientation. A reflector angle adjustor (or a reflector-plate opening/closing unit) <b>105</b> is provided behind the reflector plates <b>102</b>. The reflector angle adjustor <b>105</b> changes the angle α between the two plates <b>102</b> to change the beam width (or the beam pattern) of the directional antenna <b>100</b>.

0007<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3A</figref> illustrates an antenna assembly using three directional antennas <b>100</b>A, <b>100</b>B, and <b>100</b>C, which is used for a three-sector cell. The beam pattern of each directional antenna is directed to the associated sector, as illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3B</figref>.

0008<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4A</figref> illustrates an antenna assembly using six directional antennas <b>100</b>A through <b>100</b> F, which is used for a six-sector cell. The beam pattern of each directional antenna is directed to the associated sector, as illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4B</figref>.

0009The cell sectoring technique using these antenna assemblies is advantageous in the multi-path transmission environment with large transmission delay or spread in the direction of signal arrival, to reduce the interference from the other communication channels. However, in the multi-path transmission environment with little transmission delay or spread in the direction of arrival, the cell sectoring technique is not so advantageous. Especially, in the environment in which various radio signals having different communication qualities or transmission types (represented by the transmission power, the transmission rate, the error rate, etc.) exist, the cell sectoring techniques is inferior to the adaptive antenna array technique in its interference reducing ability.

0010The adaptive antenna array technique is another technique for reducing the interference from other channels. With this technique, multiple antenna elements are arranged in a predetermined configuration to form an antenna array in the base station. These antenna elements are controlled adaptively using known signals, such as a pilot bit or a unique word contained in the received signal, so as to maximize the signal to interference ratio (SIR). The interference can be spatially separated from the target signal.

0011<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> illustrates an example of the adaptive antenna array, and <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> illustrates the directivity of this adaptive antenna array. The adaptive antenna array <b>500</b> illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> has n antenna elements (<b>501</b>₁, <b>501</b>₂, . . . , <b>501</b>_n), and weighting means that multiply the signal received at each of the antenna elements by one of the associated weighting coefficients (w<b>1</b>, w<b>2</b>, . . . , wn). The weighted signals are synthesized and a synthetic signal is output from the output terminal. Each of the weighting coefficients can be adjusted and varied so that the SIR of the synthetic signal becomes the maximum. This arrangement can achieve the optimum directivity.

0012In <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6A</figref>, the directivity of the adaptive antenna array using four antenna elements (n=4) is illustrated. In this example, the antenna elements are rod-type radiator elements, which are aligned in a line to form an antenna array, as illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6B</figref>. In general, (n−1) null points are produced at the front face of the adaptive antenna array. In this example, three (4−1=3) null points are formed at the front face of the antenna array, as illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6A</figref>. These null points are directed to channels other than the target channel to achieve large interference reducing effect.

0013The adaptive antenna array technique is advantageous in reducing the interference, while increasing the traffic capacity, especially in the environment in which different qualities or different types of signals coexist at different transmission powers, different transmission rates, or different error rates. This is because the directivity characteristics of the antenna array, including the main lobe and the position of the null points, are appropriately changed so as to maximize the SIR. For example, by guiding a signal with large transmission power onto the null point, the communication quality of a low-transmission-power signal can be guaranteed.

0014However, in another multi-path transmission environment with wide spread of delay time or arrival directions in which transmission qualities or transmission types are similar to each other at similar transmission power levels, transmission rates, and error rates, the adaptive antenna array technique is inferior to the cell sectoring technique in ability to reduce interference. This is because, if there is a large spread of transmission delay or signal arrival direction, then the arrival direction of the target channel is dispersed. To respond to the dispersion of the arrival direction, the main lobe has to be formed wide. This causes the spatial separation of the target signal from the interference to be reduced. In addition, the interference reducing effect making use of the null points cannot be expected because the signal arrival directions of the other channels are also dispersed. Another reason for the reduction of the interference reducing effect is that the communication qualities or the transmission types of the signals are similar to each other, and therefore, it is difficult to find and bring a signal with large transmission power to a null point.

0015Using the above-described known techniques independently cannot respond to the change in the communication environment (including traffic conditions and communication qualities) in a flexible manner, and accordingly, it cannot optimize the traffic capacity in the given frequency band.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

0016Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to optimize the traffic capacity of the cell or the sector, flexibly responding to the change in the communication environment.

0017To achieve the object, the configuration of the antenna array is automatically switched so as to be suitable for the cell sectoring technique or the adaptive antenna array technique, taking into account the transmission environment (including the signal arrival direction) and the transmission types existing in the service area. This arrangement can guarantee the optimum traffic capacity even if the transmission environment or variation in transmission qualities changes.

0018In one aspect of the invention, an antenna apparatus installed in a base station in a code division multiple access communication system is provided. The antenna apparatus comprises (a) a plurality of antenna elements, each receiving a radio signal, (b) a controller that produces an antenna control signal based on information contained in the radio signal received at each of the antenna elements, (c) an adjusting unit that adjusts directivity characteristics of each of the antenna elements based on the antenna control signal, and (d) an allocating unit that allocates each of the antenna elements to a sector based on the antenna control signal, the sector covering a portion of a cell controlled by the base station, and the number of sectors in the cell being variable by means of the antenna control signal.

0019This arrangement allows the directivity characteristics of the antenna element to be appropriately changed, while the number of sectors and allocation of the antenna elements are adjusted, in response to the change in the communication environment. Consequently, the traffic capacity can be optimized.

0020The antenna elements are arranged in an antenna array. The configuration of the antenna array can be changed by adjusting the directivity characteristics (such as the beam width and the main beam orientation) of each antenna element and the number of sectors, without changing the positions of the antenna elements in the array.

0021An example of an antenna array is a hexagonal array, in which the antenna elements are positioned along the sides of a hexagon. Alternatively, the antenna elements may be arranged in a hexagonal area. Furthermore, arbitrary polygonal antenna array may be used.

0022The controller determines transmission path conditions and variation in transmission type based on the radio signals received at the antenna elements, and produces the antenna control signal based on the determination results.

0023The transmission path conditions include transmission delay and the signal arrival direction in the multi-path environment. The transmission type includes transmission power, a transmission rate, an error rate, etc. Depending on the transmission path conditions and the variation in transmission type, the directivity of each antenna element and allocation of the antenna elements to sectors are adjusted by means of the antenna control signal.

0024In another aspect of the invention, a method for optimizing traffic capacity of a cell is provided. The cell is divided into a plurality of sectors. The method comprises the steps of: <ul id="ul0001" list-style="none"><li id="ul0001-0001" num="0025">(a) providing an antenna array to a base station that controls the cell, the antenna array being comprised of a plurality of antenna elements;</li><li id="ul0001-0002" num="0026">(b) receiving radio signals at the antenna elements;</li><li id="ul0001-0003" num="0027">(c) analyzing the radio signals;</li><li id="ul0001-0004" num="0028">(d) producing an antenna control signal based on the analysis result; and</li><li id="ul0001-0005" num="0029">(e) conducting at least one of adjusting directivity of each of the antenna elements and adjusting the number of sectors, while defining correspondence between the antenna elements and the sectors.</li></ul>

0030With this method, the directivity characteristics of the antenna element and the number of sectors can be adjusted in real time in response to a change in the communication environment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

0031<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> is a perspective view of an antenna used in the cell sectoring technique;

0032<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> is a plan view of the antenna shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>;

0033<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3A</figref> illustrates an antenna assembly using three directional antennas allocated to the associated sectors of a cell, and <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3B</figref> illustrates the directivity of the antenna assembly of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3A</figref>;

0034<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4A</figref> illustrates an antenna assembly using six directional antennas allocated to the associated sectors in a cell, and <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4B</figref> illustrates the directivity of the antenna assembly of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4A</figref>;

0035<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> schematically illustrates an adaptive antenna array used in an adaptive antenna array technique;

0036<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6A</figref> illustrates the directivity of the adaptive antenna array shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref>, and <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6B</figref> illustrates an example of the configuration of the antenna elements;

0037<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7A</figref> illustrates an antenna apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention, and <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7B</figref> illustrates an antenna element used in the antenna array shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7A</figref>;

0038<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8A</figref> illustrates an antenna array using eight directional antenna aligned in a line, and <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8B</figref> illustrates the directivity of the antenna array of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8A</figref>;

0039<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref> illustrates an example of a six-sector antenna array, in which the antenna elements are arranged along the sides of a hexagon so as to face six directions;

0040<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref> illustrates the antenna allocating unit shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> that allocates the antenna elements into six sectors;

0041<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref> illustrates an example of three-sector antenna array, in which the antenna elements are arranged along the sides of a hexagon so as to face three directions; and

0042<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12</figref> illustrates the antenna allocating unit shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> that allocates the antenna elements into three sectors.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

0043<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> is a schematic block diagram illustrating an antenna apparatus <b>700</b> according to an embodiment of the invention. The antenna apparatus <b>700</b> has an antenna array <b>704</b> comprised of a predetermined number of antenna elements <b>702</b>. In this example, the antenna array includes eighteen (18) antenna elements <b>702</b>. Each antenna element <b>702</b> is furnished with a reflector plate angle adjustor <b>706</b> for adjusting the beam width of the antenna element <b>702</b> and an antenna axis rotating unit <b>708</b> for adjusting the direction of the beam pattern of the antenna element <b>702</b>. The reflector plate angle adjustor <b>706</b> adjusts the angle between the two reflector plates by opening or closing the two plates. The reflector plate angle adjustor <b>706</b> and the antenna axis rotating unit <b>708</b> are connected to an adjusting unit <b>710</b>. Based on the instructions supplied from the adjusting unit <b>710</b>, the beam width and the direction of the radiation pattern can be adjusted independently for each antenna element <b>702</b>.

0044Each of the antenna elements <b>702</b> is connected to the controller <b>720</b> via the allocating unit <b>712</b> that defines the correspondence between the antenna elements <b>702</b> and the sectors in the cell. The controller <b>720</b> has a receiving unit <b>722</b> that receives, via the allocating unit <b>712</b>, the signals from the respective antenna elements <b>702</b>. The receiving unit <b>722</b> calculates weighting coefficients for the adaptive antenna array and multiples each receiving signal by the associated weighting coefficient. The receiving unit <b>722</b> comprises a multi-user receiver capable of receiving signals associated with multiple codes (i.e., multiple users), and it can demodulate data for multiple users.

0045The controller <b>720</b> also has a transmission path detection unit <b>724</b> and a transmission type detection unit <b>726</b>. The transmission path detection unit <b>724</b> receives predetermined parameters (τ, κ) from the receiving unit <b>722</b>, which are extracted from the received signal by the receiving unit <b>722</b> during demodulation. The transmission type detection unit <b>726</b> receives another parameter (K) from the receiving unit <b>722</b>, which is also extracted by the receiving unit <b>722</b> during demodulation. The output (LP) of the transmission path detection unit <b>724</b> and the output (LM) of the transmission type detection unit <b>726</b> are connected to the inputs to the antenna control unit <b>728</b>, which is also included in the controller <b>720</b>. The output of the antenna control unit <b>728</b>, that is, the antenna control signal, is supplied to the adjusting unit <b>710</b> and to the allocating unit <b>712</b>.

0046The antenna apparatus <b>700</b> employs a combination of the cell sectoring technique and the adaptive antenna array technique. To be more precise, directional antenna elements (shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>) used in the cell sectoring techniques are arranged in the array <b>704</b> to implement the adaptive antenna array technique. The directivity of the antenna array <b>704</b> is determined by various factors, such as the directivity of each antenna element <b>702</b>, the number of antenna elements <b>702</b>, the configuration of the antenna elements <b>702</b>, weighting factors for the respective antenna elements <b>702</b>, and so on. The controller <b>720</b> flexibly determines which technique to be used is dominant.

0047<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8A</figref> illustrates an example of an antenna configuration in which eight directional antennas (beam antennas) are aligned in a line, and <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8B</figref> illustrates the antenna pattern (or the directivity characteristic) of this antenna array. As illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8B</figref>, the antenna array exhibits a large directivity toward the front face of the antenna array, together with some side lobes and null points. The beam patterns (or the antenna patterns) are converged in a sector, which means that the antenna array can be assigned to this sector. In the example shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8B</figref>, the beam patterns are distributed over about 60 degrees with a peak (or the main lobe) toward a specific direction. Accordingly, by preparing six antenna arrays, all directions over the entire cell can be covered.

0048<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref> illustrates a <b>6</b>-sector antenna array, in which antenna elements are arranged along each side of a hexagonal array. The number of sectors (S) is six, and the number of antenna elements (A) per sector is three. The total number of antenna elements is eighteen (6*3=18). The first through third antenna elements are directed at an orientation angle of zero degree. The fourth through sixth antenna elements are directed at an angle of 60 degrees. The seventh through ninth antenna elements are directed at 120 degrees. The tenth through twelfth antenna elements are directed at 180 degrees, the thirteenth through fifteenth antenna elements are at 240 degrees, and the sixteenth through eighteenth antenna elements are at 300 degrees.

0049<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref> illustrates the detailed structure of the allocating unit <b>712</b> inserted between the antenna array <b>704</b> and the receiving unit <b>722</b> (see <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref>). This arrangement corresponds to the configuration of the six-sector antenna array shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref>. The allocating unit <b>712</b> defines the correspondence between the respective antenna elements (#<b>1</b> through #<b>18</b>) and the sectors, based on the antenna control signal supplied from the antenna control unit <b>728</b> (see <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref>). The antenna elements #<b>1</b> through #<b>3</b> arranged at an orientation angle of zero degrees are allocated for Sector <b>1</b>. The antenna elements #<b>4</b> through #<b>6</b> arranged at an angle of 60 degrees are allocated for Sector <b>2</b>. The antenna elements #<b>7</b> through #<b>9</b> at an angle of 120 degrees are allocated for Sector <b>3</b>. Similarly, those antenna elements at angles 180 degrees, 240 degrees, and 300 degrees are allocated to the associated Sectors <b>4</b>, <b>5</b>, and <b>6</b>. The allocation of antenna elements can be appropriately varied depending on the conditions of the transmission path. It should be noted that the six blocks illustrated below the allocating unit <b>712</b> in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref> simply conceptualize the process of the receiving unit <b>722</b> for Sectors <b>1</b> through <b>6</b>.

0050In operation, communication signals of the respective antenna elements or the respective sectors are supplied to the receiving unit <b>722</b> of the antenna apparatus <b>700</b> shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref>. The receiving unit <b>722</b> extracts predetermined parameters, such as delay parameter τ representing path delay time, and direction (or angle) parameter κ representing an arrival direction, from the signals. The extracted parameters τ and κ are supplied to the transmission path detection unit <b>724</b>. The transmission path detection unit <b>724</b> may take the signal intensity into account, in addition to the delay parameter and the direction parameter, as necessary.

0051The transmission path detection unit <b>724</b> checks the conditions of the transmission path, based on the parameters supplied from the receiving unit <b>722</b>, and outputs transmission path level LP. One of the purposes of checking the conditions of the transmission path is to determine the influence of the multi-path transmission environment. As long as this purpose can be achieved, the transmission path detection unit <b>724</b> may have an arbitrary structure.

0052Since the receiving unit <b>722</b> comprises a multi-user receiver, a statistical process can be carried out using the parameters about multiple users extracted from the received signals. For example, if the delay parameter τ is represented as a delay profile P(τ) for each mobile terminal, then a delay spread (σ_τ) can be calculated from the obtained delay profiles of multiple users. Cumulative distribution X %, which corresponds to the deviation along the time axis, can be derived from the statistical information (i.e., the delay spread). Similarly, if the direction parameter κ is represented as an angle profile P(κ) for each mobile terminal, then an angle spread (σ_κ) can be calculated from the obtained angle profiles of multiple users. Cumulative distribution Y % of the angle spread, which corresponds to the deviation in the direction of signal arrival, can be derived from the angle spread.

0053In one example, the transmission path level LP is determined from the cumulative distribution X % of delay spread (i.e., deviation along the time axis) and the cumulative distribution Y % of angle spread (i.e., variation in the arrival direction), with reference to a table generated in advance by simulation or experience. Alternatively, the transmission path level LP may be calculated each time the signal is received.

0054On the other hand, the receiving unit <b>722</b> extracts parameter K representing the communication quality or the channel type from a communication signal. The extracted parameter is supplied to the transmission type detection unit <b>726</b>. The transmission type detection unit <b>726</b> checks the quality or the type of the transmission channel of the received signal, based on the parameter supplied from the receiving unit <b>722</b>. Then, the transmission type detection unit <b>726</b> outputs the transmission type level LM.

0055The transmission type can be determined from the transmission power, the transmission rate, or the error rate. The transmission type detection unit <b>726</b> may have any structure as long as the detection of the transmission type (or the channel type) can be implemented. If the parameter K represents the electric power of the signal transmitted from a mobile terminal and received at the base station, the power level is related to the type of the communication channel or the type of the mobile terminal. Through the statistical process, distribution and variation in the power levels of the received signals can be obtained. In general, such deviation is large in CDMA as compared with other radio communication systems.

0056Antenna control unit <b>728</b> receives the output LP from the transmission path detection unit <b>724</b> and the output LM from the transmission type detection unit <b>726</b>. Then, it generates and outputs an antenna control signal LA based on the LP signal and the LM signal. Transmission path detection level LP is an index representing the characteristics of the multi-path transmission environment, and transmission type detection level LM is the index representing the variation in type of transmission.

0057If the transmission path level LP is large, there are large variations in arrival direction and delay time of the received signals, and therefore, influence of the multi-path environment is strong. In this case, the antenna control unit <b>728</b> outputs the antenna control signal LA that gives priority to the cell sectoring control making use of a moderate antenna pattern. In this situation, if the transmission type detection level LM is low, the distribution of the transmission types or qualities is small, which means that not so many types of mobile terminals are currently used in the service area. In this case, the cell sectoring technique is further recommended.

0058On the other hand, if the transmission path level LP is small, variation in the arrival direction or the delay time of the transmission signal is small, and influence of the multi-path environment is small. In this case, it is preferable to adaptively change the antenna pattern to increase the SIR, and therefore, the adaptive antenna array technique is employed to be dominant. In addition, if the transmission type level LM is large, the quality or the type of the transmission signals (or the mobile terminals) varies to a great extent. In this case, the adaptive antenna array technique is further recommended.

0059Cell sectoring and adaptive antenna array techniques are controlled by adjusting the directivity of the relevant antenna elements <b>702</b> of the antenna array <b>704</b> by means of the adjusting unit <b>710</b>. To what extent each antenna element is adjusted may be determined using a lookup table produced in advance based on a simulation or experience as to the transmission path level LP and the transmission type level LM. Alternatively, it may be calculated each time the antenna control signal LA is supplied.

0060With the antenna apparatus <b>700</b>, the configuration of the antenna array <b>704</b> can be changed without changing the positions of the antenna elements <b>702</b>, using at least one of the allocating unit <b>712</b> and the adjusting unit <b>710</b>. The beam width and the direction of beam orientation can be changed using the reflector plate angle adjusting unit <b>706</b> and the antenna axis rotating unit <b>708</b>, based on the antenna control signal LA. By adjusting the beam width and the beam orientation of each antenna element <b>702</b>, cell sectoring control and adaptive antenna array control can be switched in an adjustable manner.

0061In addition, the number of sectors can be changed by means of the allocating unit <b>712</b> based on the antenna control signal LA. If the transmission path level LP is low under less influence of the multi-path transmission environment, and if the transmission type level LM is low with less variation in transmission type or quality, then, the number of sectors is reduced. In this case, more antenna elements <b>702</b> are allocated to a sector with adaptive antenna array control being dominant. In general, as the number of antenna elements <b>702</b> per sector increases, the main lobe in the directivity characteristics becomes sharp and the gain increases. This results in less transmission power being required to carry out radio communication. Since the quantity of radiation decreases, interference to the adjacent sectors or the adjacent cells can be reduced. Consequently, the traffic capacity of the entire system increases.

0062<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref> illustrates a three-sector antenna array, which can be configured by the adjusting unit <b>710</b> and the allocating unit <b>712</b> based on the antenna control signal LA. The number of sectors (S) is three, and the number of antenna elements (A) per sector is six. The total number of antenna elements is eighteen (6*3=18), which is the same as that shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref>. The positions of these antenna elements are also the same as those in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref>, but with different directivity. To be more precise, the first through fifth antenna elements and the eighteenth antenna elements (#<b>1</b>–#<b>5</b> and #<b>18</b>) are arranged at an orientation angle of zero degrees. The sixth through eleventh antenna elements (#<b>6</b>–#<b>11</b>) are arranged at 120 degrees. The rest of the antenna elements (#<b>12</b>–#<b>17</b>) are arranged at 240 degrees.

0063<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12</figref> illustrates the allocating unit <b>712</b> that realizes the configuration of the three-sector antenna array shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref>. With this example, the orientation angle of zero degrees corresponds to Sector <b>1</b>, the angle of 120 degrees corresponds to Sector <b>2</b>, and the angle of 240 degrees corresponds to Sector <b>3</b>. By adjusting the allocation of the antenna elements, the number of sectors can be changed. The blocks of Sector <b>1</b> through Sector <b>3</b> simply conceptually illustrate the process for the sectors carried out in the receiving unit <b>722</b>.

0064Of course, the number of sectors can be increased. If the transmission path level LP is high with large influence of the multi-path transmission environment, and if the transmission type level LM is also high with variety of transmission qualities (i.e., with variety of mobile terminals), then the number of sectors is increased in order to respond to more users, while conducting adaptive antenna array control. The interference may be reduced by increasing the number of sectors depending on the situation.

0065In this manner, the transmission environment and the variation in transmission type are detected during the operation of the antenna apparatus, and the antenna configuration is changed in real time based on the detection result. By appropriately changing the number of sectors and the number of antenna elements in a sector, while adjusting the beam width and orientation, cell sectoring control and adaptive antenna array control can be appropriately switched.

0066Preferably, the antenna control unit <b>728</b> stores a predetermined set of setting values corresponding to all the possible values of transmission path level LP and the transmission type level LM. The setting values are used to control the antenna array <b>704</b>, including the configuration and the number of sectors. The setting values are written in a lookup table generated in advance based on simulation or experience concerning the transmission path level LP and the transmission type level LM. Alternatively, an antenna array control value may be calculated each time the transmission path level LP and the transmission type level LM are input.

0067The antenna control unit <b>728</b> outputs an antenna control signal LA having a value suitably selected for the specific transmission path level LP and the transmission type level LM. The output signal LA is supplied to the adjusting unit <b>710</b> and the allocation unit <b>712</b>, which carry out necessary processes, for example, adjusting the beam width, the beam orientation, the tilt angle, the number of sectors, etc.

0068In the above-described embodiment, mechanical means are employed to change the beam width and the beam orientation of the antenna element <b>702</b>. This arrangement is advantageous from the standpoint of achieving a high gain with a simple structure. However, other arrangements may be employed as long as the beam width and the beam orientation can be appropriately varied in response to the antenna control signal. For example, the directivity of a specific type of antenna element can be changed electrically by adjusting the phase of the electric supply to the antenna element. This arrangement is preferable from the viewpoint of reducing the number of mechanically moving components of the antenna apparatus as much as possible.

0069In the embodiment, the antenna array <b>704</b> is comprised of directional antenna elements, each of which has directivity suitable for the associated sector. However, an omni antenna (i.e., an omni-directional antenna) may be used. The shape and configuration of the antenna array is not limited to the embodiment, although a hexagonal array is preferable because the number of sectors is generally three or six. With the antenna elements arranged along the respective sides of a polygonal array, the number of sectors (S) or the number of antenna elements (A) per sector can be varied by changing the beam width and the beam orientation without changing the positions of the antenna elements.

0070The antenna apparatus of the present invention can adjust not only the directivity characteristics of the antenna elements, but also the number of sectors in the cell. Accordingly, the antenna apparatus can optimize the traffic capacity of each sector or the cell in prompt response to an environmental change.

0071This patent application is based on and claims the benefit of the earlier filing date of Japanese patent application No. 2002-037296 filed Feb. 14, 2002, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.